Construction of barn swallow nest – Φορέας Διαχείρισης Λιμνοθάλασσας Μεσολογγίου

HOW TO MAKE A BARN SWALLOW NEST

Για την κατασκευή μίας φωλιάς Σταβλοχελίδονου θα χρειαστείτε:

Cut the esparto rope into small pieces (3 or 4 cm). If you do not have esparto rope you can use straw and dry leaves.
Put rope pieces in a bowl with water and wait about 10 minutes to soak
Mix the pieces of rope soaked with moulding compound and knead for a few minutes. The aim of the rope is to avoid cracking upon drying.
Draw a trapezium on the wooden board (7 or 8 cm height and a 20 cm length as shown in the photograph)

Hammer some nails around the trapezium except the top line. With 15 or 20 nails will be enough to support the weight of the structure
Put a piece of wire joining both nails ends in order to make a 8 cm arc.
Knead the modeling clay to make tubes to cover the whole trapezium. Put each other from the base to the top.
With the help of a pen you can shape the inner part. Be sure to cover all the nails to avoid hurt the future hosted
Draw some lines on the outside of the nest. In this way the nest seem to have been built by a swallow
Let dry for at least 24 hours. Then it is ready to place in your garden or balcony! Be sure to put it in a place sheltered from the rain.